🚨 Cherokee County Hazing Lawyer: Holding Fraternities Accountable for Abuse and Negligence
Cherokee County families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near you, you have legal rights. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston operate right here in Oklahoma. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for Cherokee County victims with the same fury.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from systematic abuse. This same fraternity — and others like it — have active chapters at universities near Cherokee County. If your child has been hazed, we can help.
Call now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Cherokee County
In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez — a transfer student not even enrolled at the University of Houston yet — was subjected to weeks of torture as a pledge for Pi Kappa Phi. The hazing included:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Being struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups — until his muscles broke down
- Forced eating of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns — until he vomited, then forced to keep running
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion — forced to drive fraternity members at all hours
- Humiliation and psychological abuse — carrying sexual objects, stripping in cold weather
Result: Bermudez was hospitalized for three nights and four days with acute kidney failure caused by rhabdomyolysis — a life-threatening condition where muscle breakdown damages the kidneys.
This didn’t just “happen.” This was organized. This was known. And this could happen to your child at a university near Cherokee County.
🏛️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Cherokee County
Pi Kappa Phi is not the only fraternity with a history of hazing. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate at universities across Oklahoma, including near Cherokee County:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Cherokee County Area Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017 – death), Leonel Bermudez (2025 – hospitalization) | University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, other Oklahoma schools |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021 – death, $10M settlement), multiple other deaths | University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple deaths, chemical burns cases | University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (2017 – death, $6.1M verdict) | University of Oklahoma |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017 – death, $110M+ settlement) | University of Oklahoma |
These are not isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And it happens at universities near Cherokee County.
⚖️ Cherokee County Families: You Have Legal Rights
Hazing is not just a “college tradition.” It is assault, battery, and reckless endangerment — and it is illegal in Oklahoma. If your child has been hazed, you can hold the individuals and institutions accountable through a civil lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| National Organization | Knew or should have known about hazing; failed to supervise |
| University | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity property |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing:
- The local chapter
- The national organization
- The university (which owned the fraternity house)
- Individual members and officers
- A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)
Cherokee County families can pursue the same accountability.
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: Hazing Cases Win Big
Hazing lawsuits result in substantial settlements and jury verdicts — often in the millions of dollars. These are not just numbers; they are messages to fraternities and universities that hazing will not be tolerated.
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110+ million (estimated) settlement |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 million lawsuit pending (our case) |
These results are possible for Cherokee County families too.
📜 Oklahoma Hazing Laws: Know Your Rights
Oklahoma has strong laws against hazing, and consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Oklahoma Statutes on Hazing:
21 O.S. § 1190 (Hazing):
- Definition: Any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization.
- Penalty: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $500 fine for misdemeanor hazing; up to 5 years in prison if hazing results in death or great bodily harm.
- Consent Not a Defense: It is not a defense that the victim consented to the hazing.
Title 70 O.S. § 24-151 (Institutional Responsibility):
- Oklahoma colleges and universities must adopt anti-hazing policies.
- They must educate students and staff about hazing.
- They must report hazing incidents to law enforcement.
If a university near Cherokee County knew about hazing and did nothing, they can be held liable.
🏥 Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Cherokee County Families Need to Know
Hazing doesn’t just cause emotional trauma — it can cause life-threatening physical injuries. Our client suffered rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, but hazing has caused many other serious medical conditions:
| Condition | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats) | Severe muscle pain, weakness, dark urine, kidney failure | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, death | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beating, falls | Headache, confusion, nausea, seizures, coma | Permanent cognitive impairment, disability |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to extreme cold/heat | Shivering, confusion, dizziness, organ failure | Death, permanent organ damage |
| Internal Bleeding | Physical abuse | Abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting | Death without emergency treatment |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | Psychological abuse | Nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, suicidal thoughts | Long-term mental health treatment |
If your child has been hazed and is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately — and contact us.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Cherokee County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations run out. Here’s what you should do:
1. Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get them checked by a doctor.
- Document all injuries with photos and medical records.
- Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may not show symptoms immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications: Texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, Instagram DMs, emails.
- Take screenshots of any social media posts about hazing.
- Photograph injuries at all stages of healing.
- Document the location where hazing occurred.
- Get names and contact info of witnesses.
3. Do NOT Confront the Fraternity or University Alone
- They will try to control the narrative.
- They will pressure your child to stay quiet.
- They may destroy evidence.
- Let us handle all communication.
4. Report to Authorities
- File a police report — hazing is a crime in Oklahoma.
- Report to the university — but do not do this without legal counsel.
- Consider a Title IX report — hazing can be gender-based violence.
5. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
- We will evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront.
- We will preserve evidence and build your case while you focus on your child’s recovery.
🎓 Why Cherokee County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are not just personal injury lawyers — we are hazing litigation specialists. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers who know how the other side thinks. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit and have experience with:
- Rhabdomyolysis injury cases
- Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
- Texas A&M University hazing cases
- Hospitalization compensation claims
- Wrongful death from hazing activities
Our Advantages for Cherokee County Families:
| Advantage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies try to deny claims — and how to beat them |
| Federal Court Admission | Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction if needed |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses | Texas and New York — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff to serve Spanish-speaking families |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M UH hazing case — same strategies available for Cherokee County victims |
| Contingency Fee Representation | You pay nothing upfront — we only get paid if we win your case |
| Willingness to Travel | We will come to Cherokee County for depositions, trials, and client meetings |
📞 Cherokee County Families: Call Now for Justice
If your child has been hazed at a university near Cherokee County, you don’t have to suffer in silence. You have legal rights. And we will fight for you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Serving Cherokee County and all of Oklahoma
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Distance is not a barrier. We will travel to Cherokee County for your case.
🏛️ A Message to Fraternities Near Cherokee County
To the fraternities operating near Cherokee County: We are watching.
Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter is near Cherokee County, know that we are coming for you if you haze students.
The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. The same $10 million lawsuit we filed in Houston can be filed in Oklahoma.
We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your national organizations. We know your insurance structures. We know your history.
And when you haze students in Cherokee County, we will pursue every liable entity — from the individual members to the national organization to the university that allows it to happen.
The Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in Oklahoma. Your chapter could be next.
📚 Cherokee County Parents: What You Need to Know About Hazing
What Is Hazing?
Hazing is any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization. It can include:
- Physical abuse: Beating, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, non-food substances (e.g., hot sauce, peppercorns)
- Psychological abuse: Humiliation, degradation, sleep deprivation, threats
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
- Dangerous activities: Waterboarding, extreme exposure, confined spaces
Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “brotherhood.” It is abuse.
Why Do Students Participate in Hazing?
Students often participate in hazing because of:
- Peer pressure: Fear of social exclusion or retaliation
- Desire to belong: Wanting to be part of a group
- Misplaced loyalty: Believing hazing is necessary for brotherhood/sisterhood
- Coercion: Threats of physical punishment or expulsion from the organization
But none of these reasons justify abuse. And under Oklahoma law, consent is not a defense.
How Can You Protect Your Child?
- Talk to your child about hazing — make sure they understand what it is and that it’s illegal.
- Encourage them to report hazing — assure them they won’t get in trouble for reporting.
- Know the signs of hazing:
- Unexplained injuries or bruises
- Sudden changes in behavior (withdrawal, anxiety, depression)
- Excessive fatigue or sleep deprivation
- Avoiding certain people or places
- Sudden decline in academic performance
- Talking about “traditions” or “initiation” in a negative way
- Monitor their social media — look for signs of hazing in group chats or posts.
- Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Cherokee County Families
Q: My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?
A: We understand that victims often fear retaliation or social consequences. However, hazing is illegal, and reporting it can prevent future harm to others. We can help your child report safely and pursue legal action confidentially.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. Oklahoma law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Q: Can we sue if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, hazing can cause serious psychological harm (PTSD, anxiety, depression) and other damages. We can evaluate your case based on the full impact of the hazing.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the injury. However, do not wait — evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Contact us as soon as possible.
Q: We’re in Cherokee County, and you’re in Texas. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Cherokee County. We offer video consultations and are willing to travel to Cherokee County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so there is no financial risk to you.
Q: What kind of compensation can we recover?
A: Cherokee County families can recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages (if your child missed work or internships)
- Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic impact)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing)
Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate in hazing?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable. In our Pi Kappa Phi case, we are suing the University of Houston because they owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. We can still pursue the fraternity, its members, and any other liable parties.
Q: Can individual fraternity members be held personally liable?
A: Yes. In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally. We will pursue every individual who participated in or facilitated hazing.
📢 Cherokee County Families: This Is Your Moment
Hazing has gone on for too long. Students have died. Families have suffered. Institutions have looked the other way.
But now, the tide is turning.
- Juries are awarding millions to hazing victims.
- States are passing tougher laws — Oklahoma already has strong anti-hazing statutes.
- Universities are being held accountable — they can no longer ignore hazing.
- Fraternities are being shut down — their chapters are closing after lawsuits.
You have the power to be part of this change. You have the power to protect the next student.
If your child has been hazed in Cherokee County, call us. Let’s send a message that Oklahoma will not tolerate this abuse.
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
🏆 Our Commitment to Cherokee County Families
We are not just lawyers — we are advocates for change. When we take on a hazing case, we are fighting for:
- Justice for your child
- Accountability for the perpetrators
- Prevention for future students
- A safer environment at Cherokee County universities
We will:
✅ Fight aggressively for maximum compensation
✅ Protect your child from retaliation
✅ Hold every liable party accountable — from individual members to national organizations
✅ Work with media to expose hazing culture
✅ Support legislative change to strengthen hazing laws
You are not alone. We are here to help.
🚨 Cherokee County Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
Free, confidential consultations for Cherokee County hazing victims and families.
We serve all of Oklahoma — and we will travel to Cherokee County for your case.
Call now. The next student could be your neighbor’s child.